Playoff Ban Upheld Amid Recruiting Scandal
The Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) has denied Maplewood High School's appeal, confirming a one‑year postseason ban for the 2026 football season after an investigation revealed that head coach Chris Simpson contacted prospective student‑athletes outside the permissible recruiting window.
TSSAA defines recruiting as any effort to influence a student or their family to commit to a school for athletic purposes, and Simpson's actions were deemed a clear violation of that standard.
The inquiry uncovered a screenshot of a social‑media post that displayed an information letter from Simpson, providing concrete evidence of the improper contact.
Maplewood's principal, Sonya Brooks, acknowledged the violations but proposed alternative corrective measures, while district officials Mark North and Mark Reeves indicated they would review the ruling and seek compliance pathways that minimize disruption to the broader athletic program.
The association imposed a $1,500 fine on the school, placed the football program on probation, and restricted offseason activities to five days in the 2027‑28 cycle, eliminating any additional practices for the 2025‑26 year. Additionally, any student who received the recruitment letter but chooses to attend Jere Baxter Middle School will be ineligible at Maplewood for 12 months if they later enroll there.